Can you target an invisible creature Pathfinder?

Can You Target an Invisible Creature in Pathfinder?

Invisibility is a common spell in Pathfinder, allowing a creature to become undetectable by sight. But what happens when you want to attack an invisible creature? Can you still target it, or is it completely out of reach? In this article, we’ll explore the rules surrounding targeting invisible creatures in Pathfinder.

Direct Answer

No, you cannot target an invisible creature with a spell or attack. The Pathfinder Core Rulebook states that "you cannot target a creature you cannot see" (PHB, pg. 257). This means that if a creature is invisible, you cannot target it with a spell or attack, even if you know its location.

Why Can’t You Target Invisible Creatures?

There are several reasons why you can’t target invisible creatures. Firstly, the rules of the game require that you be able to see your target in order to attack it. If you can’t see the creature, you can’t know its location or its movements, making it impossible to hit.

Secondly, targeting an invisible creature would require some sort of magical or technological means of tracking or detecting the creature. This would be a significant departure from the core mechanics of the game, which rely on visual detection and targeting.

But What About Perception?

You might be thinking, "But what about Perception? Can’t I use Perception to detect the invisible creature and then target it?" Unfortunately, Perception is not enough to overcome the problem of invisibility. Even with a high Perception score, you would still be unable to see the creature and therefore unable to target it.

Do Some Spells or Abilities Allow Targeting Invisible Creatures?

While the core rules of the game do not allow targeting invisible creatures, there are some spells and abilities that can potentially bypass this limitation. For example, some spells like Detect Magic or Detect Illusion might allow you to detect the presence of an invisible creature, even if you can’t see it.

Similarly, some abilities like Blind Sense or Darkvision might allow you to perceive the invisible creature in some way. However, these abilities are not a guarantee of success and may require additional checks or conditions to be met.

Conclusion

In conclusion, targeting an invisible creature in Pathfinder is not possible under normal circumstances. The rules of the game require that you be able to see your target in order to attack it, and invisibility makes it impossible to do so. While there may be some exceptions or workarounds, these are limited and not guaranteed to succeed.

Table: Invisibility and Targeting

H3 Subheadings

• Why Can’t You Target Invisible Creatures?
• But What About Perception?
• Do Some Spells or Abilities Allow Targeting Invisible Creatures?
• Conclusion